Hurricanes Earn 4-1 Win Over Hitmen in Return to ENMAX Centre
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes returned to the ENMAX Centre on Wednesday with a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Hitmen.
It was the ‘Canes first home game in two-and-a-half weeks. Lethbridge had a good start to the game as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal at the 4:03 mark by Miguel Marques who beat Hitmen netminder Alex Garrett for his 10th goal of the season to extend his point streak to three-games; Noah Chadwick and Logan Wormald picked up the assists on the goal. The Hurricanes had a power play opportunity shortly after the goal but failed to produce a shot on goal. Calgary had a pair of good chances, the best by overager Sean Tschigerl who was stymied by Harrison Meneghin as the ‘Canes held a 1-0 lead after one period. Lethbridge outshot Calgary 9-8 in the first period.
Lethbridge added to their lead just 5:50 into the second period as Marques double-dipped ripping home his second goal of the game – and 11th of the season – to make it a 2-0 Hurricanes lead; Brayden Edwards and Wormald earned the assists on the goal. For Marques, it was his third-straight multi-point effort and fifth in his last seven games. Calgary pressed to get on the board on a power play and Meneghin was forced to make a great pad save against Oliver Tulk to keep it a 2-0 lead. The ‘Canes added a late goal with 15.3-seconds left in the period as Elias Knoester wired home his fourth goal of the season to make it 3-0 – Knoester extending his point-streak to six consecutive games – Kooper Gizowski and Joe Arntsen picked up the helpers on the goal which saw the Hurricanes hold a three-goal advantage after two periods. Shots favoured the Hitmen 17-13 in the second period.
In the third period, the ‘Canes continued to keep their foot on the gas registering 11 shots to the Hitmen’s 12. Lethbridge made it a 4-0 advantage at the 12:12 mark of the period when Arntsen drilled a slapshot passed Garrett for his third goal in two games and fourth of the season; Edwards and Wormald were credited with the assists on the goal. Calgary broke Meneghin’s shutout bid with 3:30 left in the game as Oliver Tulk scored his team-leading 14th goal on a penalty shot after being hauled down on a breakaway to make it a 4-1 game. Lethbridge finished the game on a penalty kill as they skated to their second-straight home ice victory.
The Hitmen outshot the Hurricanes 37-33 in the game. Lethbridge went 0/2 on the power play while Calgary went 0/4 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #14 Miguel Marques (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #35 Harrison Meneghin (36-saves)
3) ‘Canes – #18 Logan Wormald (3 assists)
The win for the Hurricanes improved their home-ice record to 7-3-2-0 on the season while their overall record improves to 14-10-2-0 on the year. Lethbridge improved to 2-1-1-0 against Calgary this season while their record against Central Division opponents lifted to 8-3-1-0 on the year.
The Hurricanes will welcome the Saskatoon Blades on Friday at 7:00pm at the ENMAX Centre in the annual Canadian Tire Toque and Teddy Toss. Limited tickets available for the game and can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
